Personal Care and Support Temperature: Oralsection: 18.39

Personal Care and Support Temperature: Oralsection: 18.39

Personal Care and Support – Temperature: OralSECTION: 18.39

Strength of Evidence Level: 3__RN__LPN/LVN__HHA

PURPOSE:

To measure body temperature.

CONSIDERATIONS:

  1. Normal oral temperature is 97.6 -98.0 degrees Fahrenheit (36.6 degrees Celsius).
  2. To convert Celsius to Fahrenheit, multiply degrees Celsius by 9/5 and add 32. To convert Fahrenheit to Celsius, subtract 32 from degrees Fahrenheit and multiply by 5/9.
  3. DO NOT use a mercury thermometer. Encourage the patient/caregiver to obtain a digital or disposable thermometer.
  4. DO NOT expect the patient to talk with the thermometer in their mouth.
  5. Procedure should not be done within 10 minutes of the patient drinking hot or cold liquids or smoking a cigarette since you will get an inaccurate reading.

EQUIPMENT:

Oral thermometer

Tissues or cotton balls

Disposable thermometer sheaths (optional)

Gloves

Wrist watch

Alcohol or antiseptic wipes

PROCEDURE:

1.Adhere to Standard Precautions.

2.Explain procedure to patient.

3.Take thermometer out of container and inspect it for cracks and chips. DO NOT use if you see any.

4.When using alcohol thermometer, shake thermometer until the mercury is below 97 degrees Fahrenheit or 35 degrees Celsius mark. If using digital thermometer – turn on.

5.If thermometer is not patient's own, place disposable sheath on the thermometer after wiping it with alcohol.

6.Ask the patient to lift up tongue. Insert the thermometer gently into the patient's mouth, positioning the bulb end of the thermometer under the tongue and to the side of the mouth.

7.Instruct the patient to hold or place his/her lips gently around the thermometer without biting it. If patient is unable to do this, another method should be used. (See Personal Care and Support-Temperature: Axillary or Temperature: Rectal.)

8.Leave the thermometer in place 3 to 5 minutes or until digital thermometer beeps. Stay with the patient if you feel that he/she cannot keep his/her mouth closed.

9.Remove the thermometer from the patient's mouth. Remove disposable sheath and discard.

10.Read the thermometer.

11.Shake down the mercury in thermometer.

12.Clean the thermometer, return to case.

13.Position patient for comfort and safety.

14. Discard soiled supplies in appropriate containers.

AFTER CARE:

  1. Document in patient's record:
  2. Temperature.
  3. Observation of patient.
  4. Method used.
  5. Report any deviation from normal temperature to supervisor.
  6. Document Standard Precautions used.

REFERENCE:

Leahy, W., Fuzy, J., & Graf, J. (1999). Providing home care: A textbook for home care aides. (3rd ed.)Albuquerque, NM: Hartman Publishing, Inc.

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